Apparatus and systems for measuring elongation of objects, methods of measuring, and reactor

Abstract

Elongation measurement apparatuses and systems comprise at least two Linear Variable Differential Transformers (LVDTs) with a push rod coupled to each of the at least two LVDTs at one longitudinal end thereof. At least one push rod extends to a base and is coupled thereto at an opposing longitudinal end, and at least one other push rod extends to a location spaced apart from the base and is configured to receive a sample between an opposing longitudinal end of the at least one other push rod and the base. Nuclear reactors comprising such apparatuses and systems and methods of measuring elongation of a material are also disclosed.

1. An elongation measurement apparatus, comprising:
 an enclosure; 
 at least one sample carrier within the enclosure comprising:
 a Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) at one longitudinal end of the at least one sample carrier; and 
 a push rod coupled to the LVDT and extending to a location proximate an opposing longitudinal end of the at least one sample carrier; 
 wherein the at least one sample carrier is configured to receive a sample between and adjacent to the push rod and the opposing longitudinal end of the at least one sample carrier; and 
 
 at least one control component within the enclosure comprising:
 a control LVDT at one longitudinal end of the at least one control component; and 
 a control push rod coupled to the control LVDT and extending to and adjoining an opposing longitudinal end of the at least one control component. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure comprises an inert gas contained therein. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermocouple within each of the at least one sample carrier and the at least one control component. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the push rod of the at least one sample carrier and the control push rod of the at least one control component comprise the same material. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of sample carriers within the enclosure. 
     
     
       6. An elongation measurement system, comprising:
 at least two Linear Variable Differential Transformers (LVDTs); 
 a push rod coupled to each of the at least two LVDTs at one longitudinal end thereof; 
 wherein at least one push rod extends to a base and is coupled thereto, and at least one other push rod extends to a location spaced apart from the base and is configured to receive a sample between the at least one other push rod and the base; and 
 a computational system electrically coupled to the at least two LVDTs. 
 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6 , further comprising an elongated housing, wherein the at least two LVDTs are positioned within the elongated housing. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the elongated housing comprises an inert gas contained therein. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a thermocouple coupled to the at least one push rod, the at least one other push rod, or the sample. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the computational system comprises an input device, an output device, a processor and a memory device. 
     
     
       11. A nuclear reactor, comprising:
 a reactor core; 
 at least one elongation measurement apparatus positioned with one longitudinal end away from the reactor core and with an opposing longitudinal end directed toward the reactor core; 
 the at least one elongation measurement apparatus comprising at least two Linear Variable Differential Transformers (LVDTs) at the one longitudinal end thereof and a push rod coupled to each of the at least two LVDTs; 
 wherein at least one push rod extends to the opposing longitudinal end and is coupled thereto; and 
 at least one other push rod extends to a location spaced apart from the opposing longitudinal end and is configured to receive a sample between the at least one other push rod and the opposing longitudinal end. 
 
     
     
       12. The nuclear reactor of  claim 11 , further comprising a reactor vessel housing the reactor core. 
     
     
       13. The nuclear reactor of  claim 12 , wherein the reactor vessel comprises a pressure vessel. 
     
     
       14. The nuclear reactor of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one elongation measurement apparatus is positioned at least partially within the reactor core. 
     
     
       15. The nuclear reactor of  claim 11 , further comprising a thermocouple coupled to each push rod or a sample positioned between the at least one other push rod and the opposing longitudinal end. 
     
     
       16. A method of measuring elongation of a material, comprising:
 positioning at least one sample carrier in a test environment with a longitudinal end comprising a Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) positioned away from a source of the test environment and an opposing longitudinal end comprising a sample positioned toward the source of the test environment, the at least one sample carrier comprising a push rod extending between the sample and the LVDT; 
 positioning at least one control component in the test environment with a longitudinal end comprising a control LVDT positioned away from the source of the test environment and an opposing longitudinal end positioned toward the source of the test environment, the at least one control component comprising a push rod extending between the opposing longitudinal end thereof and the control LVDT; 
 generating respective elongation measurements with the LVDT of the at least one sample carrier and with the LVDT of the at least one control component; and 
 generating a sample elongation value comprising a difference between respective elongation measurements of a sample carrier and a control component. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein positioning the at least one sample carrier in the test environment and positioning the at least one control component in the test environment comprises positioning the at least one sample carrier and the at least one control component in at least one of a heated environment, a cooled environment, and an irradiated environment. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 16 , wherein positioning the at least one sample carrier in the test environment and positioning the at least one control component in the test environment comprises positioning the at least one sample carrier and the at least one control component at least partially within a nuclear reactor. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 16 , wherein positioning the at least one sample carrier in the test environment and positioning the at least one control component in the test environment comprises positioning an elongated enclosure in the test environment, the elongated enclosure comprising the at least one sample carrier and the at least one control component therein. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , wherein positioning the elongated enclosure comprises positioning the elongated enclosure comprising an inert gas contained therein. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 16 , wherein positioning at least one sample carrier in the test environment comprises positioning a plurality of sample carriers in the test environment. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 16 , further comprising measuring a temperature of at least a portion of at least one of the at least one sample carrier and the at least one control component.